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Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, who visited the Fukushima nuclear power plant for the first time since taking office, reconfirmed the existing policy of discharging contaminated water from the nuclear power plant into the sea. They even argued that there were no safety concerns while eating strawberries grown in Fukushima.



This is Tokyo correspondent Yoo Seong-jae.



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Prime Minister Kishida visited the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant for the first time since taking office amidst rain.



Hear an explanation of the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant from TEPCO officials, and examine the nuclear power plant contaminated water that has undergone a multi-nuclide removal facility that treats radioactively contaminated water.



During a visit to a farm where strawberries are grown hydroponically with Fukushima water, they tasted strawberries and promoted their safety.



[Kishida/Prime Minister of Japan: (Strawberry flavor) goes very well with caramel.]



Yesterday (17th), Prime Minister Kishida toured several areas affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident and inspected the restoration status of the nuclear power plant decided by the Suga government in April. We have reconfirmed our policy of releasing contaminated water to the sea.



The plan is to discharge 1.25 million tons of contaminated water containing tritium into the sea off the coast of 1km from the nuclear power plant as early as 2023.



[Kishida / Prime Minister of Japan: Seeing so many (storage) tanks lined up, I thought that (discharge) is a very important task that cannot be delayed.]



An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea said, "We express serious concern and objection to Japan in that the decision to release Japan was made without sufficient consultation with neighboring countries and could affect the health and safety of the people and the marine environment." He said he would continue to communicate his concerns.



It seems to be a move conscious of the general election at the end of this month, referring to the resumption of travel support in Japan, which has been suspended due to the spread of Corona, and to maintain the policies of the former government that neighboring countries are concerned about.



(Video coverage: Cheol-min Han and Hyun-jin Moon, video editing: Seon-tak Kim)